Am I right to think that there's a biblical source for this?
later - no, Shakespeare, of course, from Cymbeline
Golden lads and girls all must,
As chimney-sweepers, come to dust.
Arv. Fear no more the frown o’ the great,
Thou art past the tyrant’s stroke:
Care no more to clothe and eat;
To thee the reed is as the oak:
The sceptre, learning, physic, must
All follow this, and come to dust.
Gui. Fear no more the lightning-flash,
Arv. Nor the all-dreaded thunder-stone;
Gui. Fear not slander, censure rash;
Arv. Thou hast finish’d joy and moan:
Both. All lovers young, all lovers must
Consign to thee, and come to dust.
later - I've put the chapter on line, let me know if this looks OK if you review it.